Baku: The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, accused of numerous serious offenses under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, continued on June 17, focusing on crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, and financing terrorism, APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the hearing took place at the Baku Military Court, presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev, with a panel of judges including Anar Rzayev and Jamal Ramazanov, and reserve judge Gunel Samadova. The defendant was provided with a Russian translator and a lawyer of his choice. Judge Agayev explained the legal rights and responsibilities to the victims and legal successors of the victims attending for the first time.
Alizamin Ganbarov, the legal successor of victim Rashad Ganbarli, testified about his son’s death in the Lachin district due to gunfire from remnants of the Armenian army and illegal armed groups. He expressed that the loss was immeasurable. Similarly, Saribala Hasanov recounted the death of his son, Said Hasanov, in the Kalbajar district from enemy fire.
Questions from Senior Assistant Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev prompted Fuzuli Gasimov to describe the fatal shooting of his son, Inqilab Gasimzade, in Khankendi. Ilahe Eyvazova shared that her husband, Tural Jahangirov, was killed in Kalbajar on their daughter’s birthday, while Aynur Mursalova talked about her husband, Zahir Aliyev, also falling victim in Kalbajar.
Victim Huseyn Babayev detailed injuries sustained in Aghdam from a mortar shell explosion. Asgar Dovlatov spoke of wounds from a large-scale provocation in Shusha, affecting others like Aykhan Karimli, Musa Orujov, and Yusif Majidli.
Subhan Gardashkhanov suffered shrapnel wounds in Aghdam, where several were killed, including Mehdi Abbasov and Devid Jalilov. Rovshan Khalilov described injuries from sniper fire and an artillery shell in Aghdam, where Ismail Hashimov was also hurt.
Nijat Gasimov testified about his injuries from artillery fire in Fuzuli. Ayaz Hasanli recounted sustaining injuries in Aghdam from a mine explosion. State prosecutors Fuad Musayev and Vusal Abdullayev heard testimonies of large-scale provocations by remnants of the Armenian armed forces.
Jeyhun Huseynov described injuries in Zangilan from a grenade launcher shell, while victims Tural Zeynalov, Shahin Ahmadov, and others testified about wounds from enemy fire in Zangilan. Tabriz Abushov recounted his gunshot wound in Khojaly.
Ilham Israyilov and Namig Aliyev spoke about injuries from an exploding shell in Aghdam, and Atali Soltanali shared about being wounded during a provocation in Aghdara. Forensic medical examination reports of the victims were announced during the proceedings.
The next court hearing is scheduled for June 24. Ruben Vardanyan faces multiple charges, including planning and waging a war of aggression, deportation, persecution, torture, mercenary activity, violations of international humanitarian law, intentional murder, terrorism, and illegal activities, under several articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.